Abu Taher Mondal (Bengali: আবু তাহের মণ্ডল) is an Indian Bengali politician, social worker and retired civil engineer. He is a four-time MLA of the Phulbari constituency in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.^[1][2]

Early life and education

Mondal was born into a Bengali Muslim family in the plains region of the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. His father was Samsul Huda Mondal. Mondal graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree.^[1] He owns land in Shyamding and Phulbari.^[1]

Career

Despite being an independent candidate during the 1998 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election, Mondal successfully beat Manirul Islam Sarkar for the Phulbari constituency. Mondal joined the Nationalist Congress Party for the 2003 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election but was unsuccessful against Sarkar this time. During the 2008 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election, Mondal became independent once more and beat Sarkar. He managed to preserve his seat at the 2013 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election, this time as an Indian National Congress candidate. His two-term streak was broken at the 2018 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election by S. G. Esmatur Mominin.^[3]

In March 2013, Mondal was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.^[4] He was the first "non-Indigenous" legislator to hold the office.^[5]

References